- Hike Distance: 1.5 & 4 mile Loop
- Denver Drive Time: 45
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 1hr 30 min or 4hrs
- Activities: Picnic Table, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Hiking Trails
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out and Back & Loop
- Seasons: Spring through Fall
- Beauty: Views of Pike’s Peak, Views of Greenland hills and Buttes, Front Range Views, Rock Formations, views of Eagle Mountain to the North.
- Video: Click For Video
- Trail Map Link: Click Here
Spruce Mountain offers breathtaking views of Pikes Peak, Eagle Mountain, and the rolling hills of Greenland and Larkspur. Most trails close to Denver are pretty exposed to the sun, so we were pleasantly surprised with how much shade the trees provided along the trails. Still, bring sunscreen because the South side is a bit more exposed.
We rated this as medium in difficulty because of the first segment, which climbs about 400′ in the first mile. After that, it’s relatively level. So, we’d put this on the easy side of medium. Because of that, this makes a great family hike close to Denver. But we’d highly recommend getting on the trail by 9am on the weekends (see the tips below).
Two Options:
1 – 1.5+ Mile Hike to the Greenland Overlook - (out and back) Take a left where the trail forks and head up to the overlook (about 3/4 mile). This is a great first option if you have children with you. The views of Pikes Peak may be the best in Douglas County, and you can see how the family is doing and decide whether or not you want to continue on the loop hike.
2 – 4+ Mile Spruce Mountain Loop Trail – Continue west on the trail making a loop around the top of Spruce Mountain. You’ll encounter fantastic views of Eagle Mountain, and the Windy Point overlook. Just a quick note that the service road may look like a shortcut back to the trailhead, but it’s not. It is an option though if you would like to hike the open meadows between Eagle and Spruce mountains.
Tips:
(or 3 reasons to go early)
- Speed Trap? – We haven’t seen the lurking cop car, but their are all the makings of a good old speed trap in Larkspur. So, take it easy. Our guess is that when the Renaissance festival is in full swing that traffic will really back up. The first reason to go early, and to probably allow more than 45 minutes for the drive.
- Trailhead Parking Fills Fast – There is a lot of parking, but the lot was full by 11am on a Saturday. Second reason to go early
- Great For Fido – There were more dogs on this trail than we’ve seen on any other, probably because most of the hike is pretty level and shaded. However, it makes for a bit of a traffic jam at times. Third reason to go early.
- Great Hike For Visiting Friends and Family – This hike has a lot of bang for the buck, and once you are up the first mile it’s smooth sailing. It would be a great place to take out of towners who may be looking for a less demanding hike.
Related Hikes:
- Hike Distance: 6.6 Miles RT
- Denver Drive Time: 1hr 45min
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: 4hr
- Activities: Horseback Riding, Hiking Trails
- Dogs: Not Allowed in Park
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: Year Round
- Beauty: Waterfall, Meadows, Forest, Creek, Wildlife: Elk, Deer, Birds
- RMNP Map Link: Click Here
Bridal Veil Falls is a gem tucked away in the northern reaches of Rocky Mountain National Park. This hike is about 1hr 45 minutes from the Denver area and features expansive meadows, wildflowers, forest, and a little bit of a rock scramble. Bridal Veil Falls launches from Read More
- Hike Distance: 2.4 to 4.8 Miles
- Denver Drive Time: 30 Min
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Duration: 1hr to 2.5hr
- Activities: Picnic Area, Hiking Trails, Mountain Biking
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash in Most Areas
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loops & Out Back
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Meadows, Overlooks, Wildflowers, Wildlife: Deer & Elk.
- Trail Map Link: Click Here
Meyer Ranch Open Space offers 3 great hiking options only 30 minutes from Denver. They range from easy to moderate in difficulty and 2.4 to 4.8 miles in length. Meyer Ranch has expansive meadows and patches of wildflowers, grazing deer & elk, and trails that take you to Read More
- Hike Distance: 3.7Miles (RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 30
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 2hrs
- Activities: Hiking, Cylcing, Birdwatching, Pond, Picnic Shelter
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: All Year
- Beauty: Giant Cottonwood Trees, Highline Canal, Wetlands, Waterfowl, Pond at the Fly’n B Park
- Trail Map Link: Click Here (see A6 to A2)
Denver’s Highline Canal was designed as an irrigation stream, but it has become a 66 mile long hiking and biking trail running through the heart of Denver. This particular hiking trail section is in the Littleton & Highlands Ranch area. There are two parking lots from which you can start the hike: the Countyline Road Trailhead, or the Fly’n B Park lot. Round Trip, this segment is about 4 miles. From the Countyline Trailhead, cross over the first footbridge and head South (left). You’ll run into an intersection about 200 yards up. Take a right to continue following the Highline.
Water flows in the highland canal about 90 days a year. Because the canal only drops two feet per mile, the water, even when it is flowing fast, appears calm. This is part of what gives this trail such a pastoral feel, even though it is close to 470. Immense Cottonwood trees arch over the path, and all sorts of birds decorate the bushes and wetlands that have grown up wild along its edges.
The trail is great for a stroller hike and for wheelchairs. After about 2 miles of trail, you’ll walk through a tunnel that goes under 470. You’ll then emerge to find yourself at Fly’n B Park. It looks like it is an old ranch that has been converted into a great park near Highlands Ranch. It features a small pond with boat dock, and a fantastic shelter house. The pond looks like a perfect place to take kids fishing in Denver. We haven’t tried it out yet, so we would love your feedback if you have. The Highlands Ranch Metro District Parks has plans to renovate the home on the property. Outdoor restrooms and some parking is available. However, we recommend parking at the Countyline Road Trailhead for this hike.
Tips:
- A detailed guide to of the Highline Canal Trail can be ordered from Denver Water.
- Take some snacks and extra water. The Highline continues well beyond this section and you’re likely to want to explore more of it.
- From the Countyline Trailhead, you can also go North towards for views of McLellan Reservoir and the Front Range.
Related Hikes:
- Hike Distance: .2, 3, or 5.4 Mile
- Denver Drive Time: 35
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 20 Min to 2.5 Hrs
- Activities: Picnic Areas, Shelter House with Fireplace, Bison viewing area, Hiking
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Front Range Views, Rock Formations, Bison.
We are featuring Daniel’s Park ,not for it’s trails, but because it has one of the best views of the Front Range near Denver. From the park, you can see Pikes Peak in the South, Mt. Evans in the West, and Longs Peak in the North. The trails are not handicap accessible, but the shelter house is (after a bit of a bump trail), and is a perfect place to watch the sun set. Read More
- Hike Distance: 5 Miles (RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 25
- Difficulty: Medium to Difficult
- Duration: 2.5+ hrs
- Activities: Mountain Biking, Hiking, Trail Running
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Rocky Mountain vista at top, Views of Golden & Denver
- Trail Map Link: Click Here for Windy Saddle Trail Map
Steep – that’s probably the best adjective for this hike. The trail is very accessible from Denver – on average, just a 25 minute drive. The trail begins at the base of Lookout Mountain in Golden and weaves it’s way to the top, crossing the road twice, to a wonderful mountain vista. It’s a perfect place, complete with benches, for viewing sunsets. However, a hike down in the twilight may be pretty difficult to negotiate. The Chimney Gulch Trail joins up with both the Beaver Brook Trail, and Lookout Mountain Trail.
Tips:
- Because the trail can be narrow and has a lot of mountain bike traffic, we suggest leaving the dog at home.
- If you want to start at the top, you can park at the Windy Saddle Trailhead along Lookout Mountain Road. Click for google map and driving directions.
- For a great detailed trail description, check out Deb Stanley’s Chimney Gulch Trail profile.
- Adjust Expectations – If you are hoping for a quiet, solitary hike, this is probably not the best choice. Because this trail is very accessible and challenging, there is a lot of hiking, running, and biking traffic.
